WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

2

on campus

All of us deserve to be

HEARD, despite how

people choose to label us.– Marlee Matlin

Above: Proud families, includingchildren, cheer on their graduates.

Right: The University conferred 286bachelor’s, 307 master’s and 61doctor of pharmacy degrees.

Above: Wilkes’ 60th annual spring commencement ceremony moved to a new venue: the Wachovia Arena, in Wilkes-Barre Township.

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

3

on campus

Take those warning signs, take

the NAYSAYERS, take any

label that someone slaps on

you and consider instead the

MIRACLE that lies in

POSSIBILITIES.You will

soar so much higher.– Marlee Matlin

Actress Marlee Matlin, whowon the 1986 Academy Award for Best Actressfor her motion picture debut in Children of aLesser God, delivered the keynote address viasign language and an interpreter. Matlin’s speechwas titled “From Disabilities to Abilities:The Miracle of Possibilities.”PHOTOS BY MICHAEL P. TOUEY

on campus

Toward a Law School A law school moved one step closer to realitywhen the University Board of Trustees in Juneapproved hiring a legal education leader todevelop a plan, further investigate marketdemand, explore potential specializations andraise funds for the school’s founding.

“We are movingforward in athoughtful way andare overall veryexcited about thepossibilities this lawschool will have forWilkes and theregion,” says boardchair Jack Miller ’68.

The education leaderwill report and makerecommendations tothe board at its June orSeptember 2008meeting.With afavorable report andfurther faculty approval,Wilkes could open alaw school in fall 2009.

“The Universityrecognizes howimportant it is toproceed with thegreatest due diligencewhen it comes toestablishing a lawschool,” says WilkesPresident TimGilmour.“The entireWilkes community

wants to provide a distinctive legal education thatis based on the core values of the University andwill graduate well-motivated and effectivelawyer-leaders.”

In spring, faculty also backed furtherplanning for a law school.“With its vote, theWilkes faculty overwhelmingly agreed thatdeveloping an academically strong and fiscallywell-conceived law school at Wilkes wouldbenefit the institution, its students and the

Former Mexican President to SpeakAt Outstanding Leaders Forum

Former Mexican PresidentVicente Fox will discuss thenew Latin American economyat the 2007 OutstandingLeaders Forum, 8 p.m.Monday, Nov. 5, at the F.M. Kirby Center.

Fox, who started his career as a truck driver forCoca-Cola, rose to play a vitalrole in Mexico’s democrati-zation and strengthening thecountry’s economy. He servedas president from 2000 to2006. Fox will speak about hisbusiness-centered approach toMexican development andopportunities available forinternational corporations.

Sponsored by the Jay S.Sidhu School of Business andLeadership, the OutstandingLeaders Forum featuresnational and international

luminaries who embody exceptional leadership and strategic excellence. Forumproceeds fund scholarships for Sidhu School students.To date, the event hasgenerated more than $150,000.

Tickets for the lecture may be purchased from the F.M. Kirby Center,(570) 826-1100, or from Ticketmaster for $25 or $35.For information, contact Wilkes events coordinator Rebecca Van Jura at (800) WILKES-U Ext. 4306 or rebecca.vanjura@wilkes.edu.

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

4

“We are

MOVING

FORWARD in a

thoughtful way

and are overall

very EXCITED

about the

POSSIBILITIES

this LAW

SCHOOL will

have for Wilkes

and the region.

– Jack Miller ’68Board Chair

region,” observes Kenneth Klemow, professor of biology and chair of theAcademic Planning Committee.“We anticipate working productively withthe Board of Trustees and administration to develop a solid plan that willensure the law school's success.”

The law school would likely incorporate Wilkes’ core value of mentoringinto the heart of its educational program, including a strong experientialeducation model that will span the length of the curriculum and integrateconcepts of lawyering skills, professionalism and ethics.The law school willcomplement and strengthen the university’s existing mix of academicprograms and provide the region with an area of educational training that is in demand and currently not offered in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Preliminary plans call for enrolling 80 first-year students in 2009.

Vicente Fox

on campus

Stitch of AwarenessThe Wilkes campus community raised more than $2,000 for three Darfurrelief organizations by participating in an all-day Stitch-a-Thon. Led byassistant professor of English Marcia Farrell, with assistance of the women’sstudies club, students and staff knitted and crocheted items that were auctionedduring the Rosenn Lecture on April 29.

One of the benefiting organizations, American Care for SudanFoundation, was founded by Rosenn Lecture guest speaker John Bul Dau,one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

American Care for Sudan partners with tribal chiefs in Duk Payuel, theSudanese Peoples Liberation Movement and theMinistry of Health, and other non-governmentalorganizations in the United States andEurope.They aim to build, equip andstaff a medical clinic in Duk County,Sudan, the area hardest hit bygenocidal atrocities.The groupsplan to name the clinic the DukLost Boys Clinic.

Professors Ernie Trujillo and Marcia Farrell crochet scarves for the Stitch-a-Thon auction.PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SEITZINGER

“If we keep our eyes on the prize of

INDEPENDENCE, we will ignore the

distractions and temptations certain to be placed

in our way by the Khartoum government. FINDING

UNITY in a shared vision is my prayer for my

NEW HOMELAND.”

– John Bul Dau, speaking of his hopes for southernSudan in his book, God Grew Tired of Us

John Bul Dau, one of the “lost boys” of Sudan, and documentary filmdirector Christopher Dillon Quinn discuss Quinn’s film God Grew Tired of Usduring April’s Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities. Inset: Dau signs a copy of his book documenting his escape from Sudanand new life in the United States. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL P. TOUEY W

ILK

ES

|Fa

ll 20

07

5

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

6

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

6

Emergency Communicationfor Generation TextStudents, faculty and staff can now receiveUniversity emergency alerts via their cellular orlandline phones.

Besides providing text and voice alerts, thesystem will also ring classroom emergency phonesso students and faculty who have switched off ormuted their cell phones will be alerted toemergency news.The system enhances the existingemergency communication plan, which includesmass e-mails, a phone hotline, a Web-based newsdelivery system and more than 40 emergencyphones in campus buildings that directly dial intothe public safety office.

“We were getting ready to implement thissystem when the unfortunate events at VirginiaTech occurred,” says President Tim Gilmour.“There cannot be a higher priority than ensuringthe safety and security of the campus community.Now we have a more direct and effective way tocommunicate in case of threat or emergency.”

This system will be used only for emergencycommunication and not for general information or advertisements. Noticesmay include closures and delays, community crime notifications and weatheremergencies.The service is free, but cellular service providers may charge forair time used when receiving messages.

Junior Kate Baas and senior Jon McClave signed up for anew text and voice message service. They will receiveemergency or urgent news directly to their cell phones. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SEITZINGER

Graduate Nursing Goes OnlineWilkes’ Department of Nursing now offers itsmaster’s program in an online format.

Students can currently take only core graduatecourses online.The 38-credit program, which willtake most part-time students three to four years tocomplete, offers concentrations in gerontologicnursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing, nursingeducation and nursing management.The concen-trations prepare registered nurses for careers withabundant opportunities for advancement.

Bridgette Zielinski ’76, associate professor and co-director of the master’s program, says the onlineformat offers flexibility and convenience.“Ouronline program allows nurses to enroll in graduatecourses and advance their careers regardless oflocation.”A low-residency requirement will becomepart of the program, giving the online learningcommunity the opportunity to meet in person.

on campus

Online enrollment in core courses begins in August. Enrollment in the fullprogram will begin in fall 2008. For more information, contact Zielinski or co-director Deborah Zbegner at (570) 408-4071 or (800) WILKES-U Ext. 4071.

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

7

on campus

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

7

ReStore-ing EnvironmentalResponsibilityWilkes donated about $30,000 worth of commercialproducts to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

The trailer full of lavatory equipment, lightingfixtures and solid maple doors came from a formercall center built to accommodate 1,000employees.Wilkes renovated the building, nowknown as University Center on Main or UCOM,in 2006. It houses a recreation and athletic centeron the main floor and 100 employees on the mainand second floors.

Patty Gilmour, wife of President Tim Gilmour,spearheaded the Habitat project. She frequentlybuys products from Habitat’s ReStore for herfreelance home renovation and restorationbusiness. Contractors find bargain products at thestore, which also raises funds for Habitat.

This recycling project is one example of Wilkes’ effort to become a “green” campus.TheUniversity purchased a trash compactor to reducethe number of trips waste haulers make to

A Masterful Work Steven Thomas, associate professor of music, servedas chorus master for the Northeastern PennsylvaniaPhilharmonic’s performance of Beethoven’sSymphony No. 9.

Thomas recruited and organized four partici-pating choirs with more than 150 singers, served asliaison between philharmonic music directorMaestro Lawrence Loh and other choral directors,

Wilkes Universitysingers joined threeother choirs and theNortheasternPennsylvaniaPhilharmonic toperform Beethoven’sSymphony No. 9.Steven Thomas served as chorusmaster for theperformance.PHOTOS BY CURTIS SALONICK

campus.All electronic waste, including computers, monitors, printers andlight bulbs, has been removed from the waste stream and components arerecycled whenever possible. Recently, more than 40 indoor and 18 outdoorcommingled recycling containers were added to campus.The University isworking with faculty in the environmental engineering and earth sciencesdepartment to develop a recycling awareness program.

Wilkes donated a trailer of products from the renovatedUniversity Center on Main to the Habitat for HumanityReStore. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SEITZINGER

and helped rehearse choirs at one of two combined rehearsals.“Being able to perform a masterwork like Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with

a large, well-prepared chorus and a professional orchestra was a tremendousopportunity for my students at Wilkes.They lived with the work throughoutthe spring semester, strove to understand and to master it, and ultimately gavea truly inspiring performance of it. I’m very proud of the work they did, andproud to be able to help provide both them and the community with such animportant musical experience.”

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

8

on campusW

ILK

ES

|Fa

ll 20

07

8

Relay For Life Tops $15,000Students organized a Relay For Life that raised more than $15,000 for theAmerican Cancer Society.

The April 27 to 28 event at Ralston Field took place weeks earlier thantraditional Relay For Life events so more college students could participate,explains student organizer Blaine Madara, whose grandmother and aunt arebreast cancer survivors. Organizers recruited 20 teams and more than 200participants from the University and neighboring communities.The event

exceeded its original fundraisinggoal by more than $5,000.

Madara hopes to make it anannual event and encouragesalumni to participate.Thoseinterested can emailblaine.madara@wilkes.edu.

Wire Free Wilkes-BarreWilkes and Wilkes-Barre will have a wirelessbroadband Internet infrastructure thanks to theefforts of Wire Free Wilkes-Barre, a nonprofitcorporation founded in 2006 by Wilkes, the city,Luzerne County and King’s College.

By mid-August,Wilkes students and employeeswere to have access to high-speed Internet andwireless capabilities for laptop computers and other handheld devices around the 27-acre campusand downtown.

Wire Free Wilkes-Barre aims to enhance publicsafety, increase economic development and improvegovernment efficiency by implementing the networkthroughout the city. Surveillance cameras in strategiclocations throughout the city will deter crime andaid flood monitoring, organizers say. Frontiertelecommunications company has been selected tobuild and maintain the infrastructure.

525

584 589 594621*

2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007

*Pre-census figures. Actual number of arriving freshmen may be slightly less.

INCOMING FRESHMEN

Wilkes welcomes its largest freshmen class in 25 years this fall. The

University has seen steady increases in freshmen enrollment for five

consecutive years while maintaining small class sizes and SAT scores

above the national average. With a current enrollment of 2,300 full-time

undergraduates, Wilkes has already exceeded its enrollment goal of

2,200 students by the year 2010.

TOP 5 MAJORS

More than 50 percent of Wilkes’ incoming

freshmen class will pursue studies in science,

health and engineering fields. Nursing, pre-

pharmacy and biology attracted the largest

number of students.

More than 200 people participatedin a student-organized Relay For Life event.

ENROLLMENT TRENDS

New Administrators Join Wilkes FamilyThe University welcomes four newadministrators.

• C. Reynold Verret becomes provost,leading initiatives to build enrollment andenhance quality of academic programs,develop plans for a new science, healthand engineering building, and create aplan for a law school.

Verret served as dean and professor ofchemistry and biochemistry at University ofthe Sciences in Philadelphia. During histenure at USP, he led the revision of auniversity-wide general educationcurriculum, developed a study abroadprogram, established collaborative agreementswith neighboring institutions at the K-12and higher education levels, instituted new,state-approved academic programs andoversaw relocation of major programs to anew science and technology center.

He also worked at Clark Atlanta Universityas associate professor, interim chair and laterchair of chemistry. A widely publishedresearcher, his interests include cytotoxicityof immune cells, biosensors and biomarkers.

Verret received his undergraduatedegree cum laude in biochemistry from Columbia University anddoctorate in biochemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He replaces Maravene Loeschke, now president of Mansfield University.• Petra Carver takes the post of vice president for finance and support

operations. At Northland College, Ashland,Wis., she developed andimplemented an institution-wide reorganization plan to streamlineoperations and led new construction and renovation projects. She alsoinitiated a purchasing consortium and established an internal control system.

Carver holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accountingfrom Fachhochschule Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, and an M.B.A. from St.Martin’s University, Olympia,Wash.

• Maggie Lund is vice president for human resources and organizationaldevelopment. She brings more than 20 years of experience and has heldsenior-level leadership positions in human resources. She most recently servedas vice president of human resources for Mercy Health Partners NortheastRegion, based in Scranton, Pa.

Lund earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at University of Scranton and completed doctoral coursework in industrial relations andhuman resources at Rutgers University.

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

9

WIL

KES

|Fa

ll 20

07

9

• Maria D. Suarez serves as special assistant to the president for multicultural and communityaffairs. Suarez will work with President TimGilmour, the vice president for student affairsand the Diversity Task Force to develop adiversity strategy.

Suarez served as dean of math and science at Gloucester County College, in New Jersey.She comes with extensive experienceimplementing and funding programs to recruitand retain women and underrepresentedminorities in science.

Suarez is a published researcher inbiochemistry and molecular cell biology. Suarezholds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry fromUniversity of Puerto Rico and a doctorate inbiochemistry from Michigan State University.

on campus

New administrators joining Wilkes over the summer are, from left: C. Reynold Verret, provost; MaggieLund, vice president for human resources and organizational development; Petra Carver, vice presidentfor finance and support operations; and Maria D. Suarez, special assistant to the president formulticultural and community affairs. PHOTO BY KIM BOWER-SPENCE